Constructing Bespoke Sports and Leisure Facilities Across the UK

From equestrian facilities to swimming pools, our sports and leisure construction options cover a wide range of structures. It’s a rapidly growing area of construction, and our team have an array of experience in the tailored provision of facilities for clients across the UK. We provide traditional construction management, which includes large-span systems and lightweight high-technology fabric buildings. A combination option is also available, which allows you to make an informed decision.

Heale Farm Equestrian Centre – Indoor Riding for Private Clients

The client's design and build brief included a 60m x 20m main arena, a 12.5m x 29m lunge arena, stabling for nine horses, hay store, rug store, horse walker, tack room and horse shower, office, W/C, and kitchen facilities all under one roof. Existing farm buildings were demolished and some 4,500 cubic metres of hard, brash ground was removed to accommodate the centre.

We are an authorised dealer for Cover-All buildings and, from our product range, a Titan structure was chosen to give a clear span of more than 36 metres with an overall internal area of 2,800 square metres. This structure was delivered in sections and erected on site - the largest of this type to be constructed in Europe.

The translucent fabric allows the maximum amount of natural light within the equestrian centre, therefore lowering the running costs. The project also includes the use of rainwater harvesting equipment to utilise the storm water gleaned from the roof area. Air-source heat pumps provide all hot water to the office, kitchen, tack room, and horse showers. These measures, together with sustainable timber and the use of recycled materials, met the client's desire to have a building that was eco-friendly.

We forged a close working relationship with the client to ensure that everything was designed and delivered to very specific requirements. As this was the first equestrian centre of its kind in Europe, new partnerships were formed with specialist suppliers to complete the centre to the highest standards.

The project was completed in nine months, during which the construction team also had to cope with some of the worst winter weather for several years in this part of the country.

Dove Construction was appointed as the main contractor for the design and construction of the new four-court indoor tennis arena at the Winchester Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

The original planning permission was based upon a pre-formed Canadian building, but shortly before the project started, the overseas supplier went into receivership. We were then presented with the challenge to design and deliver a tension membrane building which would mimic the profile of the original, therefore ensuring compliance with the local authority planning department.

Using our in-house experience and working closely with Lindab-Astron - one of the world’s largest steel portal frame manufacturers - and quality British suppliers, we created a building that surpassed the original specification, which has impressed both the club and the LTA. It was completed on time and within budget, showcasing our expertise in the industry.

The Cavendish School Sports Hall – A New Facility at DfES Specialist Sports College

This four-court, multi-use school sports hall was a full design and build project. Working closely with the project's building consultants, Clipston Construction Control, who were appointed by the client to ensure that all requirements were met in full, the initial stages of the design included amendments to the original planning permission.

To maximise the natural daylight - and therefore reduce the school's energy requirements and keep running costs down - the Sports Hall was constructed using a translucent, tension membrane roof, while the walls were covered in a steel cladding. Together, these give the benefit of both light and security.

An innovative Taraflex Sport M+ Dry-Tex sports flooring, 2.4m high rebound walls, storage areas and all the fixed sports equipment completed the building to the great satisfaction of the school. The building can also be used for assemblies and exhibitions as it is fully ventilated.

Robert Clipston - Clipston Construction Control

“Dove showed genuine commitment to the project acting in cooperation and with transparency in their approach. They paid attention to detail in their design and in consideration of health and safety issues with an understanding of client concerns. They provided timely and reasonable advice on any changes required during design development.”

Akeley Wood Lower School – A Second Multi-Purpose Sports Hall

Having completed the new sports facility at Akeley Wood Senior School to the complete satisfaction of the client, Dove Construction successfully negotiated the contract for a similar project at the Lower School. Set within the grounds of The Tile House Mansion, the building's tension membrane structure contains a hall which will be used as a standard indoor sports area. Due to tight site constraints, a changing pavilion and plant room were designed and built in-situ instead of utilising pre-fabricated units.

During the construction phase, special care had to be taken with the trees in the grounds of the school, and a fire access road had to be formed through the wooded area. A new exterior tennis court and landscaping completed the facility, which was ready for use at the beginning of the Summer Term in 2010.

Dove Construction acted as a main contractor for the completion of the sub-structure, ground works, and all enabling works to facilitate the erection of the multi-purpose, tented Sports Hall at Akeley Wood Senior School near Buckingham. Dove Construction was appointed in conjunction with CopriSystems, following competitive tender.

The Sports Hall contains a standard four-court facility which, together with office and changing rooms, now forms an integral part of the extensive sports facilities at this private school. In addition, an existing cricket pavilion was dismantled and re-erected in a different location to accommodate the new hall. The whole area was then landscaped in time for the new term to start.

The project took some five months and was completed within budget and strict timescales to the full satisfaction of the client. It has since led to additional projects for the same employer, including a further sports hall for the Lower School and refurbishment of the beautiful Grade 2 Listed Junior School building.

Working closely with HB Architects of Rugby, and Holden and Lee, Quantity Surveyors of Blackpool, we delivered a facility that the school are delighted to use.

Churchdown Community Centre – A Flexible Space for the Local Community

Dove Construction has considerable expertise of the special requirements needed for constructing public buildings, particularly where contractors are often required to work within tight timescales, while causing minimal disruption to the public. This project required us to demolish the existing hall and construct the new building on the same site, while keeping all existing parking facilities functional throughout the duration of the work.

Working in close co-operation with the Churchdown Community Association, we produced a cost-effective, quality community centre to the tight specifications of the project.

The community centre is a traditional cavity wall construction with steel composite cladding panels inserted at a high level. This is combined with a purlinless steel profile roof system. The interior roofing is constructed of castellated steel beams with sound-proofing panels, making for a robust structure which is fully compliant with all the functional needs of a public centre.

Richard Smith – The Chairman of the Churchdown Community Association

"As a professional engineer acting on behalf of the Association, I was very impressed by the professionalism of the company and staff throughout the contract. The quality of the work and timely completion of the scheme ensured that the centre was open in time for our busiest period of the year."

Lucozade Power League, New Sports Hall & Associated Changing Rooms

Dove Construction Limited was appointed by Powerleague Fives to supply a new sports hall with changing facilities in North London. On the site of an established school the hall will be used by students in the day and hired during the evenings and weekends to maximise revenue. The four court sports hall, external artificial pitches, changing rooms and a reception area provide the perfect facility for Powerleague's Five-a-Side football games.

Falkland Primary School

Dove Construction was chosen by Falkland Primary School to design and build a multi-purpose sports hall. The work was completed within 20 weeks, on time and within budget. The building was constructed using a portal frame system with a built up insulated roof and composite steel wall panelling. Under floor heating was installed and the sports hall was lined with rebound walls and fitted with cushioned flooring.

Contact our trusted team to learn more about our construction management experience.